factsheet b20 · factsheet b20 the business 20 (b20) is the official g20 dialogue with the global...

Factsheet B20

The Business 20 (B20) is the official G20 dialogue with the global business community. On

September 4 2016, the leading German business associations BDI, BDA, and DIHK, mandated

by the German Chancellery, assumed the B20 presidency. Chair of B20 Germany is Dr. Jürgen

Heraeus.

B20 Role and Activities

The B20 is the voice of the G20 business community. The B20’s foundation is the development

of recommendations to the G20 in taskforces and cross-thematic groups that are constituted

by business representatives and experts from the G20 countries. The B20 identifies areas

where G20 action is crucial.

B20 Taskforces and Cross-thematic Groups

Taskforces Cross-thematic Groups

Trade and Investment

Energy, Climate & Resource Efficiency

Financing Growth & Infrastructure

Digitalization

Employment & Education

Responsible Business Conduct & Anti-

Corruption

SMEs

Each taskforce is headed by a chair and several co-chairs. Around 100 representatives from

companies and business associations, representing all G20 countries and sectors of the

economy, are working together in each taskforce and cross-thematic group to find answers to

global challenges.

Events

The B20 involves a series of events with participants from politics, business, and civil society.

The highlights of the Presidency are the B20 Conference on December 1/2 2016 and the B20

Summit in May 2017 with the participation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Taskforce/cross-thematic group meetings or conference calls take place monthly from October

2016 to March 2017.

B20 Germany Structure

B20 Chair Dr. Jürgen Heraeus

Taskforces

Advocacy Executive Committee BDI, BDA and DIHK Business Advocacy Caucus

B20 Troika

B20 Sherpa Dr. Stormy-Annika Mildner

B20 Secretariat

Trade & Investment Energy, Climate & Resource Efficiency


Digitalization Employment &

Education

Cross-thematic Group Responsible Business Conduct & Anti-Corruption

Chair and Co-Chairs Knowledge & Network Partners



Chair and Co-Chairs Knowledge & Network partners


Chair and Co-Chairs Knowledge, Network & Concept Partners

Cross-thematic Group Small & Medium Enterprises


Outreach

Outreach Committee

Glossary

B20 Chair: The B20 Chair leads the B20 process, sets the main guidelines, and represents the B20 vis-à-vis politics, the international business community as

well as the public at large.

Executive Committee: The Executive Committee is constituted by the presidents of BDI, BDA and DIHK. The Executive Committee takes fundamental decisions

concerning B20 by consensus and instructs the B20 Sherpa.

B20 Sherpa: The B20 Sherpa is responsible for operational management of the B20 presidency and supports the B20 Chair. She supplies basic orientation for

the B20 recommendations and oversees the process of preparing policy papers. The work of the B20 Sherpa is supported by a B20 Secretariat and Mr. Robert Milliner, the 2014 B20 Sherpa during the Australian Presidency, who will act as a Special Advisor to the Executive Committee.

Business Advocacy Caucus: The Business Advocacy Caucus (BAC) comprises about sixty CEOs and business organisation leaders from the G20 states.

The members will be appointed by the B20 presidency. The main task of the BAC is public and political advocacy of the B20 recommendations to enhance the visibility and legitimacy of the B20.

Outreach Committee: The representatives of the other G20 Engagement Groups (C20, L20, S20, T20, W20 and Y20) form a joint Outreach Committee to

ensure the inclusivity and legitimacy of the B20 process.

B20 Troika: The Sherpas from B20 Germany, B20 China and B20 Argentina form an advisory committee to ensure the continuity and coherence of the B20

process.

Taskforces: The Taskforces (TFs) develop recommendations and concrete policy proposals. Their members are senior representatives of businesses,

associations and organizations. Each TF has a Chair who chairs its sessions, guides the drafting of policy papers and presents the TF’s recommendations in public and political forums. Each chair may be assisted by several Co-Chairs. Chairs and Co-Chairs are appointed by the B20 presidency; they are leading business figures from the entire G20, such as CEOs, supervisory board members and association principals.

Cross-thematic Groups: The Cross-thematic Groups (CTGs) have the same structure and working processes as TFs. They also draft policy papers with

recommendations and concrete policy proposals to the G20. SMEs, responsible business conduct and anti-corruption are per se cross-thematic issues. In order to take these into account across all B20 recommendations and to have expertise from all thematic areas represented in CTGs, simultaneous membership in a TF and a CTG is encouraged.

Knowledge Partners: Knowledge Partners work with the B20 Secretariat and representatives of the TF chairs to prepare B20 policy papers – under the oversight

of the Secretariat and on the basis of the discussions in the TFs and CTGs. Knowledge partners also supply inputs and support the B20 Secretariat in coordination processes and preparation of contributions.

Network Partners: Network Partners are international business organisations and networks. They provide essential support to TFs/CTGs by feeding in their

expertise as well as by engaging their broad international constituency in TF/CTG activities, and disseminating recommendations. The Network Partners also support TF/CTG advocacy activities.

Concept Partners: Concept Partners are initiatives or organizations that are experts and stakeholders for specific issues. They provide their expertise in the

drafting of recommendations and play an important role in setting up the agenda of the respective TF/CTG.

Factsheet

Trade & Investment

Prosperity is the result of exchange – of ideas, goods, services, and finance. The advantages

of trade and investment are manifold: People can learn from each other – in business, but also

far beyond. New markets can be explored and customers can be won abroad. Production

becomes more efficient through specialization and economies of scale. And the opening of

markets strengthens competition. All these aspects increase the choice of diverse and high

quality goods and services, and decrease their prices for the consumers.

However, globalization is accompanied by major challenges. We cannot ignore that despite

the overall benefits of trade and investment flows, anti-globalization sentiments have been

growing and arising. An increasing number of people feel that they are on the losing end of

greater competition. More and more people find it hard to adapt to a rapidly changing world.

Business and governments must work together to deal with these concerns.

Our trading system and trade rules need to sufficiently reflect the changing nature of trade in

the 21th century. We need to address the growing opposition to globalization in our societies.

We need to fully integrate those countries into the world economy, which have not yet fully

benefitted from globalization. We need to cur-tail protectionism and work towards a further

trade liberalization. We need to facilitate digital trade across the globe in terms of capacities,

policies and rules. We need to improve investment policymaking and market access. We know

of our responsibility. Business is ready to play its part.

Taskforce Priorities

Inclusive Trade needs to be strengthened as growing parts of the population are voicing strong opposition to trade liberalization and international investment. Benefits of trade need to be communicated much clearer and much more support has to be provided to citizens during times of change and disruption. Protectionist measures of G20 states have to be addressed and rolled back. And, all opportunities within the WTO framework that foster multilateral trade liberalization should be explored. Digital Trade offers diverse advantages: it reduces transaction costs and facilitates trade participation for SMEs and developing countries. Yet, in order to make full use of these opportunities globally, capacity-building needs to be supported. In addition, interoperable and non-discriminatory e-commerce related policies need to be established. And we also want to work towards an adaption of rules for digital trade on a global level to avoid digital protectionism and legal insecurity. Investment Facilitation is needed as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) still faces barriers and disincentives. B20 wants to work against discrimination and unfair treatment and wishes to improve the protection of property rights and contract enforcements. We want to endorse common best practices for sustainable investment facilitation and want to initiate a process on a multilateral investment framework.

Taskforce Leaders and Partners

Chair

Emma Marcegaglia, President, Businesseurope

Co-Chairs

Loic Armand, President, L’Oréal France

Jack Ma, CEO, Alibaba

Jamal Malaikah, President & COO, National Petrochemical Industrial

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, International Chamber of Commerce

Alexey Mordashov, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Severstal

Knowledge Partner

Boston Consulting Group

Network Partners

Global Chamber Platform

International Chamber of Commerce

World Economic Forum

Taskforce Membership: Regional Distribution

Factsheet

Energy, Climate & Resource Efficiency

Climate change is a reality we have to deal with. The entering into force of the Par-is

Agreement marks a cornerstone that confirms the willingness of the global community to take

global action and limit global warming below 2°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.

Still there is no time for complacency. The Paris Agreement lays out essential goals, but these

must be followed by swift action. We need to change the way how we produce and consume

energy in all parts of our economies, while at the same time ensuring competitiveness,

economic growth, and jobs. Key elements to this are increased investments into climate-

friendly technologies, energy infra-structure, and energy efficiency.

Furthermore, natural resources are not endless. We need to move away from the linear “make,

use and dispose” economy towards “recover and regenerate” economic cycles. And we need

to think and act globally now, more than ever. Establishing energy access for all is a vital

catalyst to a sustainable social and economic development in fast growing economies.

The G20 brings stakeholders together and provides an opportunity to find com-mon ground on

policies that facilitate the transition to a low carbon, energy and resource efficient global

economy. The B20 stands ready to assist the G20 in its efforts.


Market mechanisms and the regulatory environment need to support an efficient energy transition. Carbon pricing mechanisms need to be further developed whilst taking into account competitiveness concerns. The B20 also calls for a stable regulatory framework for low carbon energy investments and supporting infrastructure, while ensuring secure, affordable, and accessible supply.

Climate-friendly technologies have reached or are close to market maturity. To further accelerate their deployment, we need a coordinated technology policy framework that facilitates increased investments and R&D in the entire energy system. Furthermore, digital technologies will play a key enabling role in an increasingly complex and decentralized energy landscape.

Applied energy and resource efficiency are key elements to a sustainable global economy. We need to further decouple population and economic growth from energy and resource consumption. Therefore, the B20 supports efforts for energy and resource efficiency collaboration amongst all G20 members. And we need to scale up our efforts to provide energy access for all in Africa and South East Asia.


Chair Dr. Kurt Bock, CEO, BASF

Co-Chairs

Dr. Wolfgang Büchele, CEO, Linde

Dr. Elmar Degenhart, CEO, Continental

Xabier Etxberria Muguruza, Business CEO, Gamesa Corporación Tecnológica

Joanne Farrell, Group Executive, Rio Tinto

Dr. Peder Holk Nielsen, President & CEO, Novozymes

Francesco Starace, CEO & General Manager, Enel

Dany Qian, Vice President, Jinko Solar

Knowledge Partner


Network Partners

Global Business Coalition



Factsheet


Global economic growth has been sluggish for several years. While in advanced economies a

heightened uncertainty and setbacks to confidence have dampened growth, the economic

powerhouses of the emerging economies have lost steam not least because of declining oil

and commodity prices and economic adjustments.

In 2014, the G20 agreed to increase global growth by at least two percentage points over the

next five years. Unfortunately, we are far from reaching this goal and global forecast for 2017

have been cut to 3.4 percent. Many countries still face considerable investment gaps in

infrastructure, research and development, health and education, note withstanding the need

to invest to pivot towards a green economy. While it is vital to ensure sound public finances,

we also need to strengthen the basis for future economic growth and jobs.

The global economy has come a long way since 2008, when the global financial system stood

at the brink of collapse. The financial system has become more resilient. Yet, the International

Monetary Fund (IMF) finds that global financial stability risks have risen since October 2015.

Financial conditions have tightened and risks have risen hindering markets fundamental to fuel

global growth such as small and medium size companies, long-term investment and emerging

markets. A lot of work remains to be done. Initiatives, for example, for global regulatory

coherence now need to better support growth, and new frameworks for tax certainty are only

at a starting point.


Sustainable growth and long-term investments are of key importance for future growth. In

the field of infrastructure, the B20 wants to foster the exchange on best practices and calls for

capacity building programs to facilitate project planning. Private investments in emerging

markets have to be facilitated and SME’s access to long-term and innovative finance needs to

be improved.

Certainty and Cooperation is crucial for private investors to invest in the long-term. We call

for an international tax environment which prioritizes stability, consistency, and simplification.

For businesses, it is key that economic impact and compliance capacity are taken into

consideration when creating a framework for tax cooperation.

Financial Regulation in the new landscape means creating a fit-for-future regulation, which

considers the holistic impact on economic growth and embraces digital opportunities and risks.

The B20 works for a right balance between innovation and risks and points to the need for

more cross-border consistency not only in financial regulation but also in the fields of data

protection and cybersecurity.


Chair

Oliver Bäte, CEO, Allianz

Co-Chairs

Timothy D. Adams, President and CEO, Institute of International Finance

John Cryan, CEO, Deutsche Bank AG

John Denton, Partner and CEO, Corrs Chambers Westgarth

José Manuel González-Páramo, Executive Board Director, BBVA S.A.Jean Lemierre, Chairman, BNP Paribas

Axel Weber, Chairman, UBS Group AG

Ju Weimin, Executive Vice President, CIC

Knowledge Partner

Accenture

Network Partners

Institute of International Finance


G20 YEA


Factsheet

Digitalization

The digitalization of economies and societies changes how we produce, how we work, and how we trade with each other. Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet create extraordinary growth opportunities through innovation and efficiency gains. Digital innovations in artificial intelligence offer additional potential for improved analytics, research and automation. Our economies, our companies, our machines are becoming increasingly interconnected and enable new business models. Smart factories, smart transportation systems, smart infrastructure – digitalization offers great potential for sustainable, qualitative economic growth and jobs. However, it is also not without challenges, raising many questions. How do we treat data and data flows? How do we deal with security threats? How do we guarantee interoperability of new technologies worldwide? How do we address discomfort in parts of society and ensure that our workforce has the skills required by an increasingly digital economy? And how can we bridge the digital divide in the global economy and within countries? For the first time, a B20 taskforce will focus on digitalization. It is high time that the international business community works together with the G20 to develop solutions to the challenges of a digital world economy.


Global connectivity is simultaneously opportunity and challenge. As the risk of digital attacks

increases, we need an increased exchange on best practices as well as aligned systemic infrastructure standards for cybersecurity to ensure a safe and trustworthy environment. At the same time, we need to reduce barriers for cross-border data flows to enable the full potential of connected economies, while at the same time ensuring data protection. In order to improve the general global access to digitalization, the B20 calls for a favorable environment for private investments in ICT infrastructure. Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet require collective action. The quick development of globally market-driven and interoperable standards must be a priority. In addition, B20 supports mechanisms that facilitate the usage of Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet technologies and points to the need for adequate protection of intellectual property. ICT infrastructure, as a basis for this industrial revolution, must be ameliorated through concrete investment strategies. Artificial intelligence is a massive ongoing innovation process which raises not only

enthusiasm but also societal skepticism. B20 supports the growth of artificial intelligence and wants to foster innovation and the rollout of applications in this area. To unlock societal support, improved review and explanation of the huge potential is needed. The G20 members can directly benefit by deploying smart infrastructure and improve reliability, costs and utilization by means of artificial intelligence.


Chair Klaus Helmrich, Member of the Board, Siemens

Co-Chairs

Sabine Bendiek, Managing Director Germany, Microsoft

Hans-Paul Bürkner, Chairman, The Boston Consulting Group

Timotheus Höttges, CEO, Deutsche Telekom

Pierre Nanterme, Chairman & CEO, Accenture

Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO, Schaeffler

Rajeev Suri, President & CEO, Nokia

Knowledge Partner


Network Partners

Global Business Coalition

Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC)




Factsheet

Employment & Education

In recent years, Employment and Education have become core topics of the G20. Its leaders

recognize the need to address unemployment, raise labor force participation, improve

education and workforce qualification and create framework conditions for quality jobs to

ensure sustainable economic and financial development.

Three global trends currently affect employment and labor markets. Firstly, economic and

technological factors redefine mobility on a global scale. To facilitate mobility across

geographic locations and within different stages of one’s career, governments should remove

structural barriers to promote the growth of various forms of work and encourage an inclusive

labor market. Secondly, technological change, while resulting in possible job losses due to the

substitution of human labor, also brings direct and indirect job creation, more wealth creation

and access to new markets. Governments need to put in place policy settings that enable

innovation for all members of society and take greatest advantage of their skills. Finally, greater

internationalization of production has led to improved trade and increased job opportunities.

Governments should encourage trade opportunities, while ensuring people’s protection

through fundamental social and environmental standards.


Promote Open, dynamic and inclusive labour markets. Global leaders and policymakers need to adapt regulation to create open, dynamic and inclusive labour markets, which are conducive to formal employment, geographic mobility, mobility between different forms of employment and professional mobility during one’s career. Encouraging employment in different forms of work can also support vulnerable groups such as youth and women in gaining access to the labour market. Harness the potential of technological change through education. Technological innovation offers tremendous opportunity for entrepreneurs and society to innovate, start new businesses and improve people’s lives. Yet the nature and speed of technological change may create a major disruption in the world of work. Governments need to put in place policy settings that enable an accelerated pace of innovation and give people the skills they need to enter and advance in the labour market. Create a level playing field and promote fair competition. In an increasingly globalized economy better implementation and enforcement of legislation at the national level is essential in contributing towards safe and healthy working conditions while shaping fair competition. Governments should endeavour to protect people in their territory against human rights infringements while businesses need to respect national laws and human rights.


Chair

Dr. Gerhard Braun,Vice President, Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA)

Co-Chairs

Daniel Funes de Rioja, President, International Organisation of Employers

David Iakobachvili, President, Orion Heritage Company

Erol Kiresepi, Vice President, Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK)

Kathryn Porter, Director of youth strategy for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Hilton

Zhang Lei, Founder & CEO, Hillhouse Capital Group

Mthunzi Mdwaba, Vice President Africa, International Organisation of Employers (IOE)

Yogendra Modi, Executive Chairman, Great Eastern Energy Corporation Ltd

Peter Robinson, President & CEO, USCIB

Knowledge Partner

Deloitte

Network Partners

International Organisation of Employers


Factsheet

Responsible Business Conduct & Anti-Corruption

To raise standards of living economic growth is indispensable. Job creation, training, and

education, innovation and technology development – business plays an integral part in

improving living conditions around the globe. Foreign direct investment can positively

contribute to local economic development.

Around the world, countless companies are committed to Responsible Business Conduct on

social and environmental fronts, improving health and safety at work, living conditions, society,

environment, and consumer welfare. More and more companies are integrating this concept

in their value chains.

An important aspect of Responsible Business Conduct is fighting corruption. Corruption

reduces efficiency and increases inequality. It distorts the efficient allocation of resources. It

raises the costs of doing business. It undermines the trust in governments and erodes the rules

of law.

According to the World Economic Forum the cost of corruption equals more than five percent

of global GDP (US$ 2.6 trillion). Much has already been done to fight corruption. But we can

do better. B20 Germany thus decided to establish a Cross-thematic Group on Responsible

Business Conduct and Anticorruption this year.

Cross-thematic Group Priorities

Beneficial Ownership Transparency is essential if you want to know who really owns and

controls an organization. Governments need to turn their strong commitment into action and ensure timely and effective implementation. This will shed light on opaque corporate set-ups that allow to disguise and convert the proceeds of illegal activity. It will also help organization to understand who they are dealing with. Compliance efforts by companies need to be recognized by governments. B20 calls for support in tackling the supply side of corruption. Governments should explore ways of acknowledging effective compliance systems and voluntary self-disclosure. This will help to transform Responsible Business Conduct from a possible disadvantage into a competitive advantage. Responsible Business Conduct in infrastructure projects helps to address the variety of

risks inherent to public procurement. Collective action of Governments, business and civil

society can reduce corruption, cost overruns, delays and the lack of private financing. B20 is

part of the solution and will help to achieve quality infrastructure.

Cross-thematic Group Leaders and Partners

Chair Dr. Klaus Moosmayer, Chief Compliance Officer, Siemens

Co-Chairs

Dr. Andrey Bugrov, Senior Vice-President, MMC Norilsk Nickel

Andre Gustavo de Oliveira, Member of South America Executive Team, BASF

Corinne Lagache, Senior Vice President, Group Compliance Officer, Safran

Jorge Mandelbaum, President, CIPPEC

Anny Tubbs, Chief Business Integrity Officer, Unilever

Knowledge Partner

KPMG

Network Partners

Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC) International Chamber of Commerce

Concept Partner

Alliance for Integrity

Cross-thematic Group Membership: Regional Distribution

Factsheet

SMEs

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) represent the vast majority of enterprises

worldwide. They are an essential pillar of innovation, economic and social progress as well as

job creation. At the same time, they face a multitude of challenges, such as access to finance

or the complex regulatory business environment. Access to markets abroad and shortage of

skilled labor in a more and more digitalized economy are further concern for SMEs.

These concerns have been increasingly accounted for by many governments. But we need to

do more. How can SME be further empowered? How can a better participation of SME in global

value chains be facilitated? Specific attention also needs to be given to the implementation of

SME-friendly regulations and agreements as well as ensuring full access to the financial

markets. The G20 can and has to contribute to a level-playing field that enables SMEs.

Cross-thematic Group Priorities

Ease of SME’s Business is a key priority for B20 Germany. Regulatory obstacles must be

reduced given SME’s limited resources to cope with diverse and complex regulatory frameworks. Harmonization and simplification of regulatory systems offer one solution. SMEs must also gain a voice in national trade facilitation committees. Digitalization has large potential for SMEs, such as operational improvement and cross-

border trade. SMEs’ access to digital infrastructure must be accelerated and SMEs’ participation in digital platforms and networks must be fostered. Finance is the basis for business development. Lacking access to finance, especially in

emerging economies is a major constraint for SMEs. Improving financial access not only to bank finance but also alternative financial sources must therefore be prioritized. B20 calls for a rapid implementation of the G20 Action Plan on SMEs.

Cross-thematic Group Leaders and Partners

Chair Dr. Rudolf Staudigl, CEO, Wacker Chemie

Co-Chairs

Mary Andringa, Chair of the Board, Vermeer Corporation

Bertram Kawlath, Managing Associate, Schubert & Salzer

Monique Leroux, President & CEO, Desjardins Group

Lynette Magasa, CEO, Boniswa Corporate Solutions Ltd.

Diane Wang, Founder & CEO, DHgate

Knowledge Partner

EY

Network Partners

World SME Forum

G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance

Cross-thematic Group Membership: Regional Distribution

factsheet b20 · factsheet b20 the business 20 (b20) is the official g20 dialogue with the global...

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